FIVETRIBE

I finally ticked off that nagging desire .... I ran my first 10km trail race. It was a simply superb experience. The Volunteer Wildfire Services host a race annually to raise money to train new volunteers. The run took place along the slopes of Table Mountain, climbing from Deer Park to the lower cable station. The first hill...and I was pointing out the neverending-ness of it! I found myself surprisingly competitive in that I simply did NOT want to stop and take pictures of the magnificent views as I couldnt stomach everyone passing me! Crossing the finish 1.25.05  For this reason, races are not the best for me. I will certainly aim at doing at least one a month but ultimately the draw for me is the solitude and being able to embrace my surroundings.  The hills were insane and there were way too many of them but I was completely exhilharated by the end and cannot wait to do the next one in Greyton.

Eight years old! My fiery fairy has grown up so fast - and I couldnt be more proud of you the young lass you are and are becoming. At 8 you: are still sensitive to your surroundings and the moods of others are servanthearted can be quiet and withdrawn one moment and loud and rambunctious the next have a special connection with all animals but especially dogs are an early (but quiet) riser love love to read and draw and make cards and doodle and create watch The Troop, House of Anubis and iCarly enjoy pop music (NOW 58 especially!) have discovered the joy of Littlest Pet Shops do tap, hiphop and modern dancing - showtime in August! enjoy cuddles and kisses love to give shoulder,neck massages (yay!) happily make your own breakfast, lunch, snacks etc without complaining love making tea for us Our life is richer with you in it and we love you muchly more each passing day!

Over the last 2 weeks or so school drama has risen and evened out... That is not to say it wasnt traumatic at the time though. Faith had been having tummy trouble for over a month and I began to wonder if it was not some sort of nervous/anxiety driven issue. One day I sat her down and she outlined some things that were happening at school. I did go and see the teacher and had a very positive, helpful response. During this period Faith also indicated that she would like to experience school life at one of the local big public schools in our area. In her current school there are only 80 kids (12 max in a class) and it is a very relaxed environment. I felt, perhaps, it was time for her to stretch her wings and move to this other school. I went to chat to them but their Grade 2 was full. I enrolled both Faith and Levi for next year. Fast forward a week. No real peace came from this decision. Initially it made all kinds of rational sense but after a week I knew I needed to leave all...

Rachel has been wanting her own dog FOREVER. In fact since she could say the word "dog" she has been asking for one...and this has been the chain of events in her quest for a dog: Enter Ruby : Rach is 2.5yrs old. Ruby is a Corgi puppy. She is so cute and RAch loves her however within 24 hours Rach has a strange allergic reaction to her. We return Ruby to the breeder within 3 days. Enter Dixie : Dixie is a Tears rescue puppy. She was an amazing dog but far to boisterous and big for my little girl, however I was not deterred. I started to train her and teach Rach how to deal with her jumping up. By this stage I was in 3rd trimester with Faith and began suffering serious low blood pressure. I was on rest and was not supposed to drive. Within days of this occuring Russell had an accident at a local hardware store where loads of wood fell on him and left him badly injured and unable to walk for months. Clearly we were barely able to take care of ourselves never mind an incre...

I have recently begun running trails more regularly than before. I have become severely averse to the confines of the gym and I simply avoid the place like the plague. This fact combined with the cooler weather has driven me back into the mountains. A place I have always enjoyed but somehow had lost connection with over the last 10 years or so. Freedom (and silence!)  Trail running has quietly taught me such a valuable lesson. Something that is so often spoken but seldom truly put into practice. Running trail has taught me that it is all about the journey - there is no defined destination. That is pretty freeing for me. Especially for one so (quietly) driven in so many areas of my life.  Somehow, by running out there in nature, my life just makes sense in ways that I am not able to describe. I spoke to a surfer about it today and his eyes lit up and he was totally able to identify with my feelings. Jeannie, my very special running partner I know it sounds a b...

Catch and Release fishing at Silvermine Dam Believe it or not the cooler weather means more outdoor activity for us. Or should I say, outdoor activity of a different sort. While summer sees us in the pool and sometimes at the beach...autumn/winter finds us hiking.  Kleinplaas Dam I despise hiking in summer, it is simply too hot - the dangers of sunburn and nasty reptiles definitely put me off hitting the trails but come the cooler the weather we get out every weekend. Russ teaching kids to skim stones This last week we have been to Silvermine to do the River Walk and spent some time fishing. This weekend we went with the school hike club to Kleinplaas Dam on Red Hill; a well hidden treasure I tell you! Hike club stalwarts! Thankfully the kids thrive on the outdoors - often there will be tears and stamping of feet when I say we are going...the seduction of tv, warm beds 'n books can sometimes be overwhelming (i can relate!) but once we are on the trail the...

Chilling at Gran on Easter Sunday This morning I unwittingly changed our routine a bit. I usually pack the kids lunches while they have breakfast. Today I sat down with them and had tea while they ate. We struck up conversations about post school education, drivers licences and how to manage working and juggling kids!! Faith is very concerned that her career as 'fashion designer' will take her away from her kids. 'Mom, kids need their moms around, how am I going to do this?' Rach is still not sure what her future holds although it sounds like all the things that make a parents' tummy flipflop (Ie we will be supporting her forever!) - author, singer, actor.....eish. No word from her about kids as she has decided sprogs are far more work than they are worth. She just wants a large farm with lots of animals...no man and no kids! Hmmmm. Ons sal sien oor jaar of twee ne? Poor Levi asked for 'permission to speak' about three times. He is fast learnin...